STA VS THU T20S

Right then, that's all from this game. The Big Bash League 2022-23 is just getting started and the action continues on Wednesday, 14th December as Adelaide Strikers take on Sydney Sixers. That game will begin at 1.45 pm IST (8.15 am GMT). Do join us in advance for the build-up. Until then, take care and goodbye!

Gurinder Sandhu is the Player of the Match for his match-winning knock of 20 runs from 16 balls and figures of 2 for 23 from his four overs. He says that he was calm at the end and the plan was to watch the ball and hit it. Adds that the wicket was a bit tricky, and the off-pace deliveries were pretty hard to put away. Mentions that as a team their communication on the field was very good and everybody understands their role. Ends by saying that this win will give them a lot of confidence going into the tournament.

Earlier, Melbourne Stars got off to a cautious start in their batting effort. Moreover, the early departure of Joe Burns due to injury made matters worse for them. Marcus Stoinis too was dismissed early without troubling the scorers. Despite the top four batters getting starts, no one was able to make it count. As a result, Melbourne Stars failed to recover from that start to end up with a below-par total.

While defending a slim total, Trent Boult set the tone early for Melbourne Stars dismissing Matthew Gilkes and Rilee Rossouw in the first over. They continued to build more pressure by taking wickets at regular intervals. By reducing Sydney Thunder to 89-7, Melbourne Stars were on course to register a win on the opening night. However, they let it slip towards the back end and an error by Joe Clarke off the last ball meant they emerged second-best tonight.

Sydney Thunder win on the opening night of BBL 12! Gurinder Sandhu has done it for them taking them over the line off the last ball. In their pursuit of 123, Sydney Thunder were off to a shaky start losing two wickets in the first over. Alex Hales went about his business with a few lusty blows but he too was dismissed soon. Jason Sangha and Alex Ross looked good during their stay but failed to take the game deep. Chris Green and Gurinder Sandhu resurrected the innings and brought the equation down to 8 runs needed off the last over. With 7 needed off 3, Sydney Thunder looked down and out but Gurinder Sandhu held his nerve and saw his side home.

Oh..no! Joe Clarke, what have you done! Beau Webster serves this full and around leg, Gurinder Sandhu gets cramped for room, and misses, but Joe Clarke behind the stumps fails to collect as well and the ball races towards the fence. Joe Clarke took his right glove off before the delivery incase he needed to throw to stop the batters from stealing a bye, but he could not execute the plan. Sydney Thunder get the bye run and win a thriller here by one wicket!

A dot! This game is going down to the last ball. This is on a hard length and around off, Gurinder Sandhu slices it towards extra cover where Trent Boult stops it diving to his right.

SIX! BANG! SCORES LEVEL! Gurinder Sandhu has cleared the ropes! Beau Webster lands this short and on off, Gurinder Sandhu stays there and heaves it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. 1 run needed in 2 balls now!

On a length and on middle, Brendan Doggett forces it towards long on for a run. 7 runs needed in 3 now!

Brendan Doggett comes out to bat.

OUT! TMBER! TWO-IN-TWO! Beau Webster bows this on a good length and on middle, Fazalhaq Farooqi makes room and goes for a big heave across the line, but misses and the ball goes through to disturb the stumps. Melbourne Stars are one wicket away from victory.

Fazalhaq Farooqi is the new man in.

OUT! TAKEN! OH MY GOD! What a catch! This is just spectacular stuff! Beau Webster serves this full and on off, Chris Green uses his feet and lofts it wide of long off where Brody Couch runs to his right and stretches his right hind to take a blinder of a catch. He has taken two amazing catches in this game and that could be the difference after all.

Beau Webster (3-0-12-0) will bowl the final over.

Swing and a miss! This is on a good length and on leg, angling in, Gurinder Sandhu swings wildly, but misses. 8 runs needed in the last over!

FOUR! A much-needed boudnary for Sydney Thunder! This is on a hard length and on middle, Gurinder Sandhu makes some room and lofts it over mid on for a boundary.

A crucial dot for Melbourne Stars! Luke Wood bangs in a bouncer, on middle, Gurinder Sandhu gets surprised and fails to connect.